Sugarmoon - Spring Edition 2019 Sugarmoon - Spring 2019 | Page 10

MATCHA LATTE RECIPE
THE BEST
PLANT-BASED
MATCHA LATTE
BY: JEN HANSARD
OUR PLANT-BASED matcha latte can help boost metabolism, burn calories, calm the mind,
enhance mood and concentration, and relax the body. Pretty awesome stuff, right?
I’m all about plant power, which means I eat lots of fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. It also
means I drink a lot of nut milks and use them in our recipe creations. Confession: I’ve been
trying to decrease the amount of coffee and increase the amount of matcha lattes I drink.
Why? More antioxidants, less adrenal stress and no dairy - all of which will do my body some
extra good. I’ve tested a lot of recipes and learned that the type of milk I use makes a HUGE
difference in how much I like it. Bottomline: Nut milks are where it’s at!
My journey with nut milks began in 2009 when I heard someone say, “humans are the only
mammal to drink milk into adulthood.” That stuck with me in a weird way and I began looking
into alternatives that would be creamy, protein rich and nutrient dense. Nut milks are where I
landed and what I drink most often now. But just like dairy milk, I soon found out that plant-
based milks aren’t all created equally.
Lately, I bounce between cashew milk, walnut milk, coconut milk and almond milk, yet I
would say almond milk is my go-to. Which brings up a question that I often get: what’s the
difference between almond and dairy (cow’s) milk?
ALMOND MILK VS. DAIRY MILK
Let’s get to the obvious first: cow’s milk is just that - milk from cows. Almond milk comes from
(you guessed it) almonds. But let’s take it a step further. If you’re not vegetarian or lactose-
intolerant, what’s the purpose? Do they still provide adequate nutritional value? And just as
important (if not more important), how is the taste?
Unsweetened almond milk is lower in calories than “regular” milk. It’s free of cholesterol,
saturated fat and lactose. On the flip side, cow’s milk is rich in calcium, potassium and
vitamin D. Though almonds are a great plant-based source of protein, almond milk is often not.
When it comes to taste, many almond milk manufacturers will add stabilizers, such as
carrageenan, to thicken almond milk and give it a desirable texture. Carrageenan is a derivative
of seaweed that can cause digestive issues in some people. I avoid it when I have the option.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PLANT-BASED MILKS?
Back to the million-dollar question: is dairy milk or plant-based milk better?
It’s really up to you and what you need. It’s not a black or white answer‚ as much as some
people try to make it seem. In my house, we still consume some organic whole milk and
yogurt, yet nut milk is our main thing. Modern milk production practices are often questioned,
and milk consumption has been affected by this. Drinking plant-based milks ensure that you
are having a product that is free of antibiotics, hormones and any other unhealthy additives that
come with dairy. Naturally, plant-based milks are also popular with those who are allergic or
intolerant to dairy milk, in addition to those who question a potential sensitivity to the food. But
all of these reasons aside, the taste and variety are also a huge draw to many, including me!
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